Stephanie Linus commence advocacy against sex trafficking in Italy

Nigerian actress and movie producer Stephanie Linus has recently arrived Italy to give support to Nigerian youths rescued from the clutches of human traffickers while trying to migrate to Europe via Libya.

The UNFPA ambassador has also raised her voice against the high sex trafficking of Nigerian women and girls currently ongoing in Italy.

The rescued Nigerians are currently undergoing rehabilitation through the help of international medical humanitarian organization – Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and European Organization for the Rescue of Lives in the Mediterranean – SOS Mediterranee.

Every year, an increasing number of women, mainly from Nigeria, are being trafficked to Europe for sexual exploitation. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), there has been an almost 600 percent increase in the number of potential sex trafficked victims arriving in Italy by Sea since 2014. Many of these women were kidnapped against their will or lured with the promise of greener pastures.

During her visit, Mrs Linus and her team were given a tour of the rescue ship “Aquarius” to witness their activities and operations. Later she also had meetings with some of the vulnerable women; participated in rehabilitation exercises for the rescued women and also met with stakeholders with the aim of alleviating their sufferings and preventing more girls and women from falling prey.

she spoke about measures that can be used to curb human trafficking such as educating young people on the dangers of being trafficked and integrating the rescued victims back into the society.

This timely intervention is in partnership with the international medical humanitarian organisation “Doctors Without Borders” (MSF).

Doctors Without Borders is one of the most impactful humanitarian organisation that rescues thousands of people who faced hazardous conditions trying to enter Europe through the sea yearly. In 2017, the Aquarius (a rescue ship) has rescued 15,078 people.

Mrs Linus has been at the forefront of advocacy over sensitive issues that affect the rights of women and girls. She has done this through several channels such as her advocacy movie – DRY, her role as UNFPA Ambassador; her charity organisation Extended Hands Foundation and many more.